Mini Argument #3 Evaluating Evidence Touching Spirit Bear RI: 6.8 Did Cole actually see and get attacked by a spirit bear?
By Catherine Mcfaddin
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Last updated over 2 years ago
10 Questions
RI.6.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
Question: Did Cole actually see and get attacked by a spirit bear?
Claim: Cole actually saw and was attacked by a spirit bear.
Evidence: Cole had lied so frequently throughout his life that he began to question himself, pondering had he honestly seen a spirit bear. He felt the need to at least prove to himself that he was not making up another lie, so, "He strained his neck to make sure nobody was watching, then reached into the paper bag and pulled out his jeans. Carefully he poked his hand into the front pocket and wrapped his fingers around something matted and fuzzy. He pulled his hand from the bag and opened his fist. There in the palm of his hand was a wad of hair (Mikaelsen, 2001, p. 132)."
Claim: Cole did not see, nor did he get attacked by a spirit bear.
Evidence: Cole had lied so frequently throughout his life that he began to question himself, pondering had he honestly seen a spirit bear. He felt the need to at least prove to himself that he was not making up another lie, so, "He strained his neck to make sure nobody was watching, then reached into the paper bag and pulled out his jeans. Carefully he poked his hand into the front pocket and wrapped his fingers around something matted and fuzzy. He pulled his hand from the bag and opened his fist. There in the palm of his hand was a wad of hair (Mikaelsen, 2001, p. 132)."
Claim: Cole actually saw and was attacked by a spirit bear.
Evidence: When Cole confessed that his injuries came from being mauled by a spirit bear, Edwin assured him that he was mistaken. Spirit bears are located hundreds of miles to the south, nowhere near Cole (Mikaelsen, 2001). Lastly, He informed Cole that his family had hunted on the island for a long time, and no one had ever reported seeing a spirit bear that far north (Mikaelsen, 2001).
Claim: Cole actually saw and was attacked by a spirit bear.
Evidence: Armani Curtis said that spirit bears are located hundreds of miles to the south, nowhere near Cole. She also stated that spirit bears have never been seen that far to the north.
Claim: Cole did not see, nor did he get attacked by a spirit bear.
Evidence: Cole is a liar. A bear most likely attacked him due to the severity of his injuries, but it is unlikely that it was a "spirit bear."